What does guarding our hearts look like, pragmatically?

[LightBright]

Maybe guarding our hearts isn't as much about not letting love and kindness out as it is how much we place our self-esteem and feelings of whether we've done right or not on other people's reactions to our actions and behavior. ie it's not about what you let out as it is what you let in deep enough to change you.

How are you so smart? Always have smart stuff to say lol, you are very wise miss.

 

[G00WZ]

I am a dog with a bone on this topic, but I'd like some more feedback on this. Please bare with me...

I often hear the words guard our hearts, and I know He does…

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NASB

I think we are to be wise, for sure. There is no way we can know the true heart of someone. But if we are guarded even in balance, showing both gentleness and wisdom, how can we show the Love of Jesus, and let Him shine? We are called to extend thanksgiving, showing love, hospitality, kindness, mercy, goodness, service, meekness, humility, hope and on and on, right? We also know that we are not to gossip and slander, create strife, mock, be bitter, unkind, unmerciful, filled with malice and contention, selfish and prideful, self righteous and condemning, and also in these ways on and on.

So where is the balance, what exactly does the guarding our hearts suppose to look like? Is it as simple as this...

Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.
Romans 16:17

Are we just to simply stay away from those that act contrary to His will, but pray for them. I think so. I know we are human, and thus will probably always fall short on the way we love ppl, which is another way we will also fall short in loving Him? Plus, there is only so much time in a day. However, I am fully aware, He will help us to be sincere, selfless, and to be sufficient.

I know if we have a heart wide open, it is susceptible to hurt, that we are more vulnerable. Perhaps, He will have to show me and guide me on the pragmatics of how we are suppose to be with one another. After all, I'm not a wee one, quite the contrary. I have grand wee ones, for crying ot loud, lol. I think that who we are to be within our nature in Him should include sincerity, grace, humility, and wisdom. I also think that we are to make sure our intentions are honorable. Perhaps we have to ensure that we love with all our hearts and minds, but do so, hoping to show Him, not ourselves. Perhaps, this is it, hmmmmm? Maybe when we are loving to feed what only He should, we will get hurt and come up empty. He wants us to love others, not glorify them. I think this is where I struggle. Hmmmmm, I thoroughly enjoy thoughts worked through. I think He wants us too deeply care for others, take precious tender care of them, but depletion and harm comes when even our love isn't properly distributed.

I think a heart for mercy is such a precious and priceless gift. We must not operate, though, from a wounded place, one yearning for acceptance and mercy. After all, those we are only to get from only Him. I think it is time for a good bible study….

I am far too old to be this young

It is said to love your neighbor as yourself, i take this as "view your neighbors as aspects yourself". Rather than just focus on my singular self ego, i believe it is something that must be extended rather than just focused on self. Seeing other people as aspects of yourself makes it easier to deal with and forgive/understand people who cause discord. They have a wrong perspective of them self and everyone around them. A lot of time what happens is
a person will be burdened by feeling emotionally responsible for another person rather than allowing God to do what He does. Some people will try to force others to see the light rather than just shining brightly and being who they are. Some people are addicted to darkness,they hate light and have their investments on the identity they have created for themselves. If a person chooses to live this way, so be it. They do not know what they are,what they have,
who/what they are connected to, or even what their purpose is. Let them stumble in the darkness until they have had enough.

What guarding the heart looks like is just not spending a lot of time/ effort/investment on them anymore, being neutral, detachment, but understanding that they are in their own mindset. The goal isn't really about rejection its more focused around not having your own understanding being compromised by how another person is disruptive. Its more or less a lesson on personal upkeep.

 

[CharliRenee]

It is said to love your neighbor as yourself, i take this as "view your neighbors as aspects yourself". Rather than just focus on my singular self ego, i believe it is something that must be extended rather than just focused on self. Seeing other people as aspects of yourself makes it easier to deal with and forgive/understand people who cause discord. They have a wrong perspective of them self and everyone around them. A lot of time what happens is
a person will be burdened by feeling emotionally responsible for another person rather than allowing God to do what He does. Some people will try to force others to see the light rather than just shining brightly and being who they are. Some people are addicted to darkness,they hate light and have their investments on the identity they have created for themselves. If a person chooses to live this way, so be it. They do not know what they are,what they have,
who/what they are connected to, or even what their purpose is. Let them stumble in the darkness until they have had enough.

What guarding the heart looks like is just not spending a lot of time/ effort/investment on them anymore, being neutral, detachment, but understanding that they are in their own mindset. The goal isn't really about rejection its more focused around not having your own understanding being compromised by how another person is disruptive. Its more or less a lesson on personal upkeep.

I am so glad I asked for input on this matter. It really has helped me. The awesome take away from your response, for me anyway, or at least one of them is...


What guarding the heart looks like is just not spending a lot of time/ effort/investment on them anymore, being neutral, detachment, but understanding that they are in their own mindset. The goal isn't really about rejection its more focused around not having your own understanding being compromised by how another person is disruptive

I'm guilty of this, so it had me nodding my head...

Some people will try to force others to see the light rather than just shining brightly and being who they are

 

[zeroturbulence]

I know if we have a heart wide open, it is susceptible to hurt, that we are more vulnerable....

I think a heart for mercy is such a precious and priceless gift....

I am far too old to be this young

Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

- Robert Frost

Stay gold, CharlieRenee. Stay gold..

 

[CharliRenee]

Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

- Robert Frost

Stay gold, CharlieRenee. Stay gold..

This sweet comment is golden, dear bro. With Him, maybe we can stay Golden, because He is, huh?

 

[zeroturbulence]

This sweet comment is golden, dear bro. With Him, maybe we can stay Golden, because He is, huh?

Once in a great while I come across someone who seems to have a heart of gold and I think you are one of those rare people, CharliRenee.

 

[CharliRenee]

Once in a great while I come across someone who seems to have a heart of gold and I think you are one of those rare people, CharliRenee.

Thank you for seeing me through your generous eyes of kindness and mercy. I am smiling so big, because you have honored me big time. The truth is, though, our golden hearts are His. He gives them to us. Sometimes my heart is not so pretty, tbh, but He shines me back up in His tender mercies. He really is the Golden Child of His Father.